NTSB recommends FAA change aircraft separation rules

By Victoria
July 2, 2013 14:59

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issue new rules to prevent planes from getting dangerously close to each other when one aborts a landing.
The action was prompted by four incidents in 2012 and one in 2006 when planes initiating “go-arounds” got dangerously close to aircraft taking off or landing.
NTSB Chairwoman Deborah Hersman said in a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta: “The NTSB is concerned that in these events, ATC (air traffic control) was not able to ensure the safe separation of aircraft.”
Crashes were only avoided because pilots took evasive maneuvers, she wrote.
The FAA said in a statement that it takes the recommendations seriously and will respond within 90 days.